Education Notebook: School news and events for May 12-18, 2016
Ride for Reading: The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada and community partners invite the public to participate in the annual Ride for Reading Bike Ride and deliver 2,000 books to Clark County School District students at 8 a.m. May 13. The RTC, Clark County School District, Southern Nevada Bicycle Coalition and BikingLasVegas.com are hosting Ride for Reading, whose mission is to promote literacy and healthy living through the distribution of books via bicycle. Better World Books has donated 2,000 books for the event, which will be distributed to students at Frank Kim Elementary School, 7600 Peace Way. The ride starts and ends at Irwin Cycles, 10080 W. Tropicana Ave. For a map, visit mapmyride.com/routes/view/988789527. Visit rtcsnv.com/cycling/ride-for-reading.
Mural dedication: Students and staff members at Mack Middle School, 4250 Karen Ave., celebrated April 28 the unveiling and dedication of a 300-foot mural that students created on the wall of the flood channel next to the school, as a community improvement project. The football field-sized mural’s theme was Maverick Country, and it is dedicated to the history of Southern Nevada.
Anniversary dinner: May Elementary School, 6350 W. Washburn Road, held a dinner to celebrate 25 years and to honor the legacy of namesake Ernest J. May, the first Las Vegas police officer who died in the line of duty on June 8, 1933. During the event, Las Vegas City Councilman Stavros Anthony presented May’s only living daughter, 97-year-old Anita Lewis, with a proclamation that marks May 1 as Ernest May Day.
Excellence in education: The 2016 inductees to the Excellence in Education Hall of Fame were announced at the Clark County School District Board of School Trustees meeting April 28. Inductees are: Connecting Hands Offering Lifelong Learning Adventures; Las Vegas Philharmonic Youth Concert Series; volunteer Varsity Quiz judge Dick Krafve; Dr. Danielle Miller , assistant superintendent for CCSD’s Instructional Design and Professional Learning Division; and Kristine Minnich, CCSD’s assistant superintendent in the Assessment, Accountability, Research and School Improvement Department.
CCSD receives PBIS grant: The Clark County School District received an $80,000 Nevada Department of Education School Climate Transformation Grant grant to expand the district’s Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports program. The grant will fund 11 CCSD schools during the 2016-17 school year, five additional schools in 2017-18 and 10 more in 2018-19. PBIS is a research-based multi-tiered behavioral framework designed to improve behavioral outcomes, and build safe and respectful school climates.
WGU offering nurse scholarships: WGU Nevada is offering up to $20,000 in scholarships for nurses across the state and is set to award up to 10 scholarships to nurses who wish to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree program in WGU Nevada’s College of Health Professions. Each WGU Loves Nurses Scholarship is valued at up to $2,000, or $500 per six-month term for up to four terms. New and enrolling students can apply for these scholarships through July 31 at nevada.wgu.edu/wgulovesnurses. To be eligible, scholarship applicants must be officially admitted to WGU Nevada, complete the scholarship application, which includes an essay, and be interviewed by a scholarship counselor. Visit nevada.wgu.edu/wgulovesnurses.
Scholarships applications: The Youth Council for Project 150, a local nonprofit that helps homeless, displaced and disadvantaged high students, is offering several scholarships to attend a Nevada college, university or accredited vocational training institute. The scholarship application deadline has been extended to May 16, and award levels range from $500 to $2,000 per student. High school and college students are eligible to apply if they meet the academic and community service requirements. Scholarship interviews are scheduled May 20. Scholarship award notifications will be sent by June 1 via email. Visit Project150.org or call 702-721-7150.
Paintings donation: On May 17, Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas is set to donate 150 paintings to The Children’s Miracle Network, which will then donate the artwork to St. Rose Hospital Siena in Henderson. The paintings will be used to decorate the pediatrics floor, raise funds for silent auctions and serve as gifts to patients. Created by CASLV sixth- through 12th-grade students, the paintings are 11-inch-by-17-inch acrylic works with the theme of Things Children Like. Visit CASLV.org.
Education survey: The city of Henderson is reaching out to residents to gather thoughts and opinions on a plan to reorganize the Clark County School District into local precincts through an online survey. The 2015 Nevada Legislature passed Assembly Bill 394, which would lead to the creation of new local school precincts in Clark County. Feedback from residents will be presented to a technical advisory committee formed to assist in developing a Clark County School District reorganization plan. Visit cityofhenderson.com/education.
Power Hour program: Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada and Ross Stores are partnering to support the Club’s Power Hour program, an interactive after-school homework assistance program for members, ages 6 to 18. The program offers the opportunity for club staff to support youth in developing a positive attitude about learning while emphasizing the importance of high school graduation. The partnership with Ross Stores will assist in making the program a more effective tool to keep members on top of their academic studies as well as provide the club with staff training and resources.
Investigating History: The Mob Museum, 300 Stewart Ave., has launched Investigating History, a comprehensive educational outreach program to be offered to Clark County schools. Funded by the Las Vegas Centennial Commission, the program introduces students to the topics of Las Vegas history, constitutional law and criminal justice through interactive standards-based classroom and auditorium presentations. Designed for fourth- through 12th-grade students, the hands-on program will be presented by museum educators and will support the fulfillment of national and state curriculum standards. Call 702-229-2734 or visit themobmuseum.org.
Instrument collection: The Las Vegas Philharmonic Guild, in partnership with Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, has launched an instrument collection program to benefit local school music programs. The initiative is intended to address the need for musical instruments for school music programs, particularly in charter schools in the Las Vegas Valley. The organization is seeking playable instruments in good condition, and because these instruments may need some refurbishing, it is also seeking interested parties for monetary contributions or donations of instrument repair services. For more information, to donate or to get involved, contact Monica Fuller at guildeducation@lvphil.com or 702-580-8528.
Degrees, internships, scholarships, enrollments and contests:
Cybersecurity and Information Assurance degree: WGU Nevada is now accepting applications for its newest online master’s degree program, Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. The new program offers coursework that aligns with the latest standards from national security organizations, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense and the National Security Agency. The program is designed for experienced information systems professionals or individuals with real-world IT experience who are seeking a master’s degree and planning to become certified in ethical hacking or computer forensic investigation. WGU Nevada’s terms are six months long, and students may enroll on the first of any month, completing as many courses as they are able for a flat-rate tuition of about $3,000 per term. Visit nevada.wgu.edu/cybersecurity.
Leadership Academy enrollment: Leadership Academy of Nevada is enrolling students for the 2016-17 school year. LANV focuses on developing leaders through delivery of a liberal-arts education via cutting-edge technology in grades six through 12 throughout Nevada. Regularly scheduled Enrollment Information Meetings are held online and in Las Vegas so that parents and students can learn more. A list of Enrollment Information Meeting dates, times, and places can be found at lanv.org.
Teaching scholarships: WGU Nevada is partnering with the Nevada Department of Education to offer up to 20 full-ride scholarships to residents who wish to pursue a career in teaching. In 2015, the Nevada Department of Education provided $240,000 to WGU Nevada as part of the Nevada Legislature’s Teach Nevada Scholarship Initiative. Individuals interested in applying are required to complete WGU Nevada’s Alternate Route to Licensure program for elementary and secondary teaching. The ARL program is an accelerated pathway for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree but do not have a teaching license. After successful completion of the accelerated program, students will have completed a series of rigorous courses, in-person observations, and clinical experiences in a public school classroom that prepares them to be highly effective teachers. Winning scholarship recipients will be awarded $3,000 per term, not to exceed a total of $12,000 per student. Scholarships are available to new students who possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a non-education related field from an accredited university. To learn more about the scholarship, email scholarships@wgu.edu. Visit nevada.wgu.edu.
Latin Chamber scholarship: In collaboration with the Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce, WGU Nevada is encouraging professionals to embark on continuing education by offering more than $30,000 in scholarships to members of the chamber through its Las Vegas Otto Merida Scholarship program. The scholarships, valued at up to $3,200 per student, will be applied at the rate of $800 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms. Scholarships are available to new students looking to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in any of WGU Nevada’s more than 50 degree programs in information technology, business, teacher education, or health care. Potential awardees must be a member of the chamber, or belong to a member company, which comprises more than 800 members. The WGU Nevada Otto Merida Scholarship was created in honor of the founder and chief executive officer of the Latin Chamber of Commerce. Visit nevada.wgu.edu/LVLCC.
